I have done the red theme for the past several years on my mantel, and I wanted a more natural, softer look this year. You know, you gotta mix it up every once in a while.
Since I have a plethora of red decorations for this space, I couldn’t really justify spending a lot of money on new items. So…I had to get creative.
Thanks to some inspiration from Stephanie Lynn, I cut up some old sweaters I had and used the sleeves as little “socks” for some vases I had in the basement. I hot glued the base to smooth out the bottom, but the tops just have a natural tension that wraps around the vase.
I think when you use a monochromatic scheme, you need to incorporate some texture to vary it. Luckily, the free sweater sleeves did just that!
The garland itself? Well, it’s a whole bunch of hodge podge. I used the garland I’ve always used on the fireplace, but I wanted it much airier, fuller, and (again) textural.
I went into my backyard and clipped a bunch of long-needle pine branches. I don’t suspect they’ll withstand the heat of the fireplace for very long, but they sure are pretty!
My neighbors never trimmed back their tall, ornamental grasses from this summer. In true creeper blogger form, I ran next door and clipped a bunch of them off. It was just the filler I was looking for!
I will admit that resting the garland on top of the mantel definitely intrudes upon your decorating space. Getting all those candles and stands to stay straight felt like the clown spinning plates at the circus. I’m going to choose to walk away. For now. And not let it bother me.
I’ll be linking up to Layla’s place later today for her “Holiday Home” mantel party. Come join the fun!
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This is really beautiful Chris. I love the natural look, great job!
So pretty! You know you are going overboard when you start thinking of grabbing extra floral adhesive to gum up the bottoms of vases and candlesticks so things don't topple over in a mantle arrangement. (Or I am just brilliant?? Hmmm – try it – it green gum like goo in the floral dept and works like a charm to make things stick.) You can thank me later! Sweater sleeves? Fantastic!! Would my old neon Pac Sun surfer girl shirts work?
i love the sweater arm idea! and gotta love the natural (and free) elements from outdoors!
This is exactly what I'd like my mantle to look like. Exactly! Except I don't have a mantle:( And where's your cutie pie dog??
Sweaters.. Gah! Love it.
xo
Love all the nature mixed into the faux garland. Your mantel is beautiful!
Looks great! I like the natural look too. I think it's all about the texture 🙂
Love the clean look of your mantel this year, but I know I'll gravitate back towards the reds and greens, or burgandy and creams, or maybe gold and silver!
Looks so pretty. I just love the sweater idea. It gave you such a great look.
What a beautiful mantel!
Love those sweaters! Okay so I am not the only one who stole from a neighbor's bush for the sake of a mantel. Good to know I am not alone. 🙂
I love it!!!
I am not doing a single red thing this year either, and you pulled the new look off perfectly.
Love that furry wreath, so fairytale winterlike.
I love this! I wish we had a mantel to decorate…. love, love, love!
this looks amazing! i wish i had a fire place in my house to get all creative with!
Candle sweaters! Of course!
So gorgeous…and warm…and CHEAP! Love it all!
You definetely achieved a soft look. I think it is very cozy, too, with all the different textures. Beautiful!
I love the all white! So calm and wintery!
WOW! Beautiful! I love everything you did! So creative! Love the sweater idea & the wreath!! Nice!
oh my god stunning!!!
http://notsocountry.blogspot.com/
What a great idea, they look BEAUTIFUL!
I switched to lighter creams, golds, and green a couple years ago and I adore the look of it.
looks really nice
The mantle looks beautiful!!!
I love the idea of using old sweaters on the candles. I am actually looking for some sweaters at thrift stores to do the same thing and make some cute stockings for me the hubs and the pup.
This is absolutely beautiful! It looks like you would have had to spend tons to get that look! I love the idea of the the sweater sleeves…genius!!! I'm sitting over here jealous as heck of your mantel…
Oh my goodness this is just gorgeous!!!!!
i love this! and i think its so original! subtle but great. and i may or may not copy that wreath, mmkay?
It's beautiful, Chris! I love the way you added interesting textures–the sweater vases are great, and the ornamental grasses–now that was brilliant, not creepy! I've loved your red mantelscapes, but this is also lovely!
i am drooling over that wreath. the whole set up is serene and soft and just beautiful. but i want to reach into my screen and take that wreath.
I think it looks great! I love the sweater idea. Never would have thought of that.
I love the wreath, and those sweater vases…I die!! Gorgeous!
I'm a big fan of the neutral color scheme. This is beautiful! I also love that idea of the sweaters on the candles. Too cute!
Beautiful, Chris! I love that natural look too. Fun to see all the different mantels this year.
It's beautiful and so warm and cozy feeling! What a great idea with the sweater arms for texture!
Gorgeous!!! I love everything about your mantel. Love the natural look.
Love the sweater idea! Definitely adds the right about of texture and a great DIY project to boot!
Gorgeous. My favorite mantle of the party!
I love that look. Very fresh and neutral. And the sweaters for the candles are cute.
I love it Chis! I actually went thrifting for sweater sleeves for a similar project on my sideboard, but couldn't find what I was looking for ;). It looks light, airy, and fantastic!
i might just have to go out there and cut my grasses now! I usually leave them for winter interest in the garden, but they are stunning on your garland!
That is absolutely beautiful!
Completely gorgeous! I LOVE the sweater-on-vase look – I might just have to try that one myself! Thank you!
This is lovely!
I love the natural look. So pretty! I love the sweater idea. Fab!
Candle sweaters!? GENIUS!!!!!!!!!
I love the garland and wreath too. LUH. SHUSS!!!!!!!
Thanks for linking up friend!
Layla 🙂
Simply Beautiful! Love the sweater sleeves.
Gorgeous! I love the wreath…very pretty! And the garland looks lovely…nice and full:) Great idea in reusing the sweaters too!
Beautiful! love the textures and warm glow. I, too, decided to go more neutral this year and tried to pull from what I had. Fun! -shaunna 🙂
L O V E the idea of using sweater sleeves on glass globes! Ingenious!
Looks fabulous! Natural but with some oomph!
Chris, I love the simplicity of your mantel. It truly is warm and inviting and etherial. Love it,Kathysue
Love the use of sweaters! Very creative!
Hi Chris-
Your pine branches not only look pretty, but I bet they smell wonderful. I love what you did on the mantel – the sweater covers create a warm and toasty feel – perfect for the holidays.
My best- Diane
The natural theme looks really neat.
Sometimes a change is good.
Melinda
I LOVE the simplicity of it!!! Gorgeous!
Absolutely Gorgeous!
Love that wreath!
I love it. It looks very wintery but no specifically Christmas-y, so it would work anywhere.
I wrote yesterday about my desire for a mantel and fireplace. http://www.ouruglyhome.com/2010/11/i-dream-of-mantel.html
The sweater candles are to die for… and don't get me started with the wreath! It looks like a winter wonderland! Gorgeous!
xx,
~Michelle
Again Chris this turned out fantastic! I loved the term serene and soft, fits perfectly. Not to mention creative (sweater candle covers!) It looks sooo beautiful. Don't you just love the real pine needles and items borrowed from nature? You are so good at what you do. Can a mom get any prouder? I decorated my window boxes tonight. I added lights, red twigs from a dogwood bush, dried beige hydrangeas, shrub leaves from the yard that looks like uccalyptus (spelling?) and the pine needles from the tree farm we went to.
I love your mantel. I had a similar thought this year and kept my red in the living room while doing my family room in white. I love the freshness of it.
Jenni
House of White
LOVE the sweater vases! I am a knitter myself, so that would be a fun project. I have seen vases before like that, but they were made out of clay and much pricier. You always have such great ideas!
Where did you get that wreath? I am thinking that I need one… did you make it or buy it? Thanks so much!
So cozy and lovely!
Your mantel is gorge!!! I love the white color sheme.
I'm working on mine right now. Love your fluffy wreath. I just finished, and blogged about, feather wreath. You should check it out – I know you'll love.
I love that wreath that you have hanging over your mantel. Did you make that and if so how? If you bought it where did you get it from?
Michele
Brilliant! Soft whites due to that texture. So creative. Love how you took a base artifical garland and just dolled-it-up with some local fresh greens. Easy and fragrant.
Hope it stays in place for you all season.
Do you keep flameless candles inside the sweater vases? No heat and a bit of lite could be an interesting effect.
It's gorgeous, I love it! Wish I had a mantel!
OK- we need info on the wreath… please?
Here you go, Robin! Enjoy! http://justagirlblog.com/2009/11/festive-feather-wreath.html
I can’t believe no one asked about the wreath……so I have to. What is it made of??? Please tell me and how do I do it? 😉
Oh Yeah! and once I ask about the wreath, guess what? I find it! haha
Ha! Glad you found it, Ingrid. Thank you!